OSRS Best Equipment by Level Guide
Choosing the right equipment in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) can make or break your adventure in Gielinor. Whether you’re a melee brawler, a ranged sharpshooter, or a magic-wielding mage, upgrading your gear as you level up is crucial for maximizing damage, defense, and efficiency. This guide details the best equipment by level for melee, ranged, and magic combat styles, tailored to help both free-to-play (F2P) and pay-to-play (P2P) players progress smoothly. From beginner-friendly iron armor to endgame BiS (Best in Slot) items, we’ve got you covered.
Melee combat relies on three skills: Attack, Strength, and Defence. Your gear choices depend on these stats and whether you prioritize damage (Strength), accuracy (Attack), or survivability (Defence). Below is a level-by-level breakdown of the best melee equipment.
Levels 1–20: Starting Strong
New players should focus on affordable gear that boosts damage and defense. F2P players can access iron and steel gear, while P2P players have more options.
- Weapon: Iron Scimitar (Level 1 Attack) or Steel Scimitar (Level 5 Attack) – Scimitars offer a good balance of speed and damage for early training.
- Armor: Iron Armour Set (Level 1 Defence) or Steel Armour Set (Level 5 Defence) – Cheap and available from the Grand Exchange.
- Accessories: Amulet of Strength (No requirements) – Boosts Strength for higher max hits.
Levels 20–40: Mid-Tier Upgrades
By now, you’re tackling tougher foes like Hill Giants or completing quests like Dragon Slayer. Upgrade to mithril or adamant for better stats.
- Weapon: Mithril Scimitar (Level 20 Attack) or Adamant Scimitar (Level 30 Attack) – Fast and effective for training.
- Armor: Mithril Armour Set (Level 20 Defence) or Adamant Armour Set (Level 30 Defence) – Solid defensive bonuses.
- Accessories: Amulet of Power (No requirements) – Provides balanced offensive and defensive bonuses.
Levels 40–60: Preparing for Endgame
At this stage, you’re ready for rune gear (F2P) or dragon gear (P2P). These are significant upgrades for quests and Slayer tasks.
- Weapon: Rune Scimitar (Level 40 Attack) or Dragon Scimitar (Level 60 Attack, requires Monkey Madness I) – Dragon Scimitar is a P2P favorite for its speed and strength.
- Armor: Rune Armour Set (Level 40 Defence) or Granite Armour (Level 50 Defence, P2P) – Granite offers high defense for tanking.
- Shield: Rune Kiteshield (Level 40 Defence) or Dragon Defender (Level 60 Attack, P2P) – Dragon Defender boosts offense significantly.
Levels 60+: Endgame Melee Gear
High-level players should aim for BiS gear from raids, bosses, or minigames. These items are expensive but offer unmatched stats.
| Slot | Item | Requirements | Bonuses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Osmumten’s Fang | 82 Attack | +105 Stab, +103 Slash, +75 Strength |
| Armor | Justiciar Armour Set | 75 Defence | +287 Stab Defence, +265 Crush Defence |
| Boots | Primordial Boots | 75 Strength, 75 Defence | +5 Strength, +22 Defence |
| Gloves | Ferocious Gloves | 80 Attack, 80 Strength | +16 Attack, +16 Strength |
Note: The Justiciar Armour Set is ideal for tanking in PvM, while Inquisitor’s Armour boosts crush damage for specific builds.
Ranged Gear Progression
Ranged combat scales with the Ranged skill, with some gear requiring Defence levels. It’s ideal for safespotting and fighting magic-weak enemies. Here’s how to gear up as you level.
Levels 1–20: Early Ranged Training
Start with basic leather armor and shortbows for cost-effective training on low-level monsters like goblins.
- Weapon: Shortbow with Iron Arrows (Level 1 Ranged) – Cheap and accessible.
- Armor: Leather Armour Set (Level 1 Defence) – Offers minimal Ranged bonuses.
- Accessories: Ava’s Attractor (Level 30 Ranged, P2P, Animal Magnetism) – Recovers arrows, saving money.
Levels 20–40: Stepping Up
Upgrade to studded leather and better bows or crossbows for quests and Slayer tasks.
- Weapon: Maple Shortbow with Steel Arrows (Level 30 Ranged) or Willow Composite Bow (Level 20 Ranged) – Good for F2P and P2P.
- Armor: Studded Leather Armour (Level 20 Defence) or Green Dragonhide Armour (Level 40 Defence, P2P) – Boosts Ranged attack.
- Accessories: Amulet of Accuracy (No requirements) – Improves hit chance.
Levels 40–60: Mid-to-High Tier
Black or blessed dragonhide armor becomes available, paired with powerful weapons like the Magic Shortbow.
- Weapon: Magic Shortbow (Level 50 Ranged, P2P) – Its special attack fires two arrows rapidly.
- Armor: Black Dragonhide Armour (Level 40 Defence, P2P) – Strong Ranged and defensive stats.
- Accessories: Ava’s Accumulator (Level 50 Ranged, P2P) – Upgraded arrow recovery.
Tip: The Magic Shortbow (i) is a cost-effective Slayer weapon when imbued.
Levels 60+: Endgame Ranged Gear
High-level ranged gear focuses on raids and bossing. The Masori Armour and Twisted Bow dominate PvM scenarios.
| Slot | Item | Requirements | Bonuses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Twisted Bow | 85 Ranged | +70 Ranged Attack, +20 Ranged Strength |
| Armor | Masori Armour Set (Fortified) | 80 Ranged, 80 Defence | +106 Ranged Defence, +132 Magic Defence |
| Gloves | Zaryte Vambraces | 80 Ranged, 45 Defence | +18 Ranged Attack, +2 Ranged Strength |
| Necklace | Necklace of Anguish | 75 Hitpoints | +15 Ranged Attack, +5 Ranged Strength |
Note: The Twisted Bow excels against high-magic-level enemies, while the Toxic Blowpipe is versatile for general use.
Magic Gear Progression
Magic gear boosts accuracy and occasionally damage, with most items affecting spell precision rather than max hits. Here’s the progression for mages.
Levels 1–20: Beginner Mage Gear
Start with basic robes and staves for low-cost training, like splashing or fighting weak enemies.
- Weapon: Elemental Staff (Level 1 Magic) – Saves runes for casting spells.
- Armor: Wizard Robes (Level 1 Defence) – Minimal magic bonuses.
- Accessories: Amulet of Magic (No requirements) – Boosts magic attack.
Levels 20–40: Mid-Tier Magic
Mystic robes and better staves improve your spellcasting for quests and early PvM.
- Weapon: Mystic Staff (Level 40 Magic, 40 Attack) – Decent magic attack bonus.
- Armor: Mystic Robes (Level 20 Defence, 40 Magic, P2P) – Strong magic attack and defense.
- Accessories: Seers Ring (No requirements, P2P) – Small magic attack boost.
Levels 40–60: High-Tier Magic
Ahrim’s gear and the God Staves are excellent for mid-level mages tackling tougher content.
- Weapon: God Staff (Level 60 Magic, P2P) – Allows casting God Spells with high accuracy.
- Armor: Ahrim’s Robes (Level 70 Magic, 70 Defence, P2P) – High magic attack and defense.
- Accessories: Imbued God Cape (Level 60 Magic, P2P) – +2% magic damage boost.
Levels 60+: Endgame Magic Gear
Endgame magic gear focuses on maximizing accuracy and survivability for raids and bossing.
| Slot | Item | Requirements | Bonuses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Sanguinesti Staff | 82 Magic | +25 Magic Attack |
| Armor | Ancestral Robes | 75 Magic, 65 Defence | +35 Magic Attack, +2% Magic Damage |
| Boots | Eternal Boots | 75 Magic, 75 Defence | +8 Magic Attack, +8 Magic Defence |
| Shield | Elidinis’ Ward | 80 Magic, 80 Defence, 80 Prayer | +5 Magic Attack, +25 Defence |
Note: The Sanguinesti Staff is the top choice for endgame magic due to its high accuracy and healing passive.
Hybrid and Utility Gear
For players switching combat styles or needing utility, certain gear stands out. Void Knight equipment is a versatile P2P option requiring 42 Attack, Strength, Defence, Ranged, Magic, and 22 Prayer. It boosts damage for melee, ranged, or magic depending on the helm used.
- Void Knight Set: 10% damage boost for melee/ranged, 45% accuracy for magic.
- Elite Void: Adds +2.5% damage for magic/ranged and a prayer bonus.
Other utility items include the Fire Cape (+4 Strength, Level 70+ combat recommended) and the Slayer Helmet (i) for Slayer tasks, offering accuracy and damage boosts.
Tips for Gear Acquisition
Getting the best gear requires planning. Here are some tips:
- Questing: Complete quests like Animal Magnetism (Ava’s devices), Recipe for Disaster (Barrows Gloves), and Monkey Madness I (Dragon Scimitar) for early unlocks.
- Slayer: Train Slayer for loot like the Salve Amulet (e), which boosts undead damage by 20%.
- Grand Exchange: Save OSRS gold to buy mid-tier gear like rune or dragonhide armor.
- Minigames and Raids: Participate in Pest Control for Void Knight gear or Tombs of Amascut for Masori Armour and Osmumten’s Fang.
Balancing cost, stats, and accessibility is key. For example, Barrows Gloves (+12 to all attack bonuses) are a versatile mid-level option for 130K after Recipe for Disaster, while Zaryte Vambraces (150M) are endgame ranged BiS.
With this guide, you’re equipped to choose the best gear for your level and combat style in OSRS. Whether you’re a F2P warrior or a P2P raider, upgrading strategically will make your journey through Gielinor smoother and more rewarding. Happy adventuring!